Hugo Carts (Play'n Go) Slot Review

Hugo Carts: Slot Overview 

Play’n GO continues its Hugo franchise with yet another high-energy installment, Hugo Carts, released on August 26, 2021. This slot takes the lovable troll Hugo underground as he embarks on a gold-mining adventure in a dynamic, feature-packed game. Unlike previous Hugo slots, Hugo Carts introduces a 5×4 grid setup with 1,024 ways to win, alongside high volatility and a max win of 25,000x. 

With an RTP of 96.23% and high-risk gameplay, Hugo Carts is designed for those who enjoy fast-paced, high-reward mechanics. The game’s standout features include respin modifiers, character-based free spins, and dynamic multipliers, making it arguably the most exciting Hugo slot to date. 

Design and Graphics 

Hugo Carts retains the cartoonish and lighthearted visual style that the franchise is known for. However, this time, the setting shifts deep underground, where Hugo and his companions dig for gold. The background features a dark, crystal-filled mining cave, illuminated by lanterns and dynamite explosions, giving the slot an adventurous feel. Symbol Design: 

Low-Paying Symbols: The usual 10-A card symbols, styled in wooden and metallic designs. 

High-Paying Symbols: Mining-related items, including: 

Pickaxes 

Spades 

Lamps 

Hard hats 

Special Symbols: 

Wild Nugget Bag: Replaces other symbols to form winning combinations and pays up to 10x the stake. 

Dynamite Scatter: Triggers free spins. 

Character Symbols: Hugo and his gang trigger respin modifiers. 

The animations are smooth and lively, with explosions, sparkles, and glowing crystals adding to the excitement. Though the Hugo franchise is known for its family-friendly appeal, Hugo Carts has a slightly more serious mining adventure feel, making it a well-balanced game for both casual and serious players. 

Gameplay Mechanics 

Hugo Carts runs on a 5-reel, 4-row grid, with 1,024 ways to win instead of traditional paylines. Wins occur when matching symbols land on adjacent reels, starting from the leftmost reel. 

Key Gameplay Features: 

Wild Symbols: 

Represented by gold nugget bags. 

Substitutes for all symbols except scatters and character triggers. 

Scatter Symbols: 

Dynamite symbols trigger the free spins round. 

Character Symbols: 

Hugo, Hugolina, and Scylla each trigger unique respin mechanics. 

The combination of expanding wilds, mystery symbols, and multipliers makes every spin unpredictable, adding depth to the base game. 

Sound and Music 

The soundtrack is lively and adventurous, featuring jaunty mining-themed tunes that fit well with the underground setting. Sound effects include: 

Clinking gold and pickaxe strikes during spins. 

Explosions from dynamite scatter symbols. 

Exciting audio cues when wilds and special features activate. 

While the music can become repetitive over long sessions, it fits the game’s upbeat nature well and adds to the adventurous atmosphere. 

Bonus Features 

Respin Modifiers (Character-Based Mechanics)

Hugo Carts introduces a unique character-triggered respin system. The three main characters—Hugolina, Hugo, and Scylla—land as special symbols and activate different effects: Hugolina (Reel 2) – Adds 2 to 5 multipliers (up to x10) onto the reels. 

Hugo (Reel 3) – Sprinkles 2 to 5 wilds randomly on the grid. 

Scylla (Reel 4) – Creates 5 to 9 mystery symbols that all transform into the same random symbol. 

Whenever any character lands, a respin is awarded with their modifier in effect, creating exciting opportunities for chain reactions of wins. 

Free Spins Feature

Triggered by landing 3, 4, or 5 dynamite scatters, which award 7, 9, or 11 free spins, respectively. During free spins: 

A character is randomly selected at the start, and their modifier is applied on every free spin. 

Retriggers are possible – landing three more scatters activates another character, with all previous ones remaining active. 

If all three characters become active, their modifiers are applied simultaneously, leading to huge win potential. 

Don Croco Scatter Boost

Occasionally, Don Croco may randomly enter the game and throw 2 dynamite scatters onto the reels, increasing the chances of triggering free spins. 

This extra feature ensures that bonus rounds trigger frequently, keeping gameplay engaging. 

Betting Options and Payouts 

Betting Range: 

Minimum Bet: €0.10 per spin 

Maximum Bet: €100 per spin 

Payout Structure: 

Low-Paying Symbols (10-A): Pay between 1x-3x for five-of-a-kind. 

High-Paying Symbols (Mining Gear): 

Pay between 1.5x-3x for five-of-a-kind. 

Wild Symbol (Gold Nugget Bag): Pays 10x for five-of-a-kind wild wins. 

Max Win Potential: 

25,000x max win. 

Ultra-high volatility means big wins are rare but significant. 

Conclusion 

Pros: 

✔ Engaging character-based modifiers with respins ✔ 1,024 ways to win increases payout opportunities ✔ High volatility with a huge 25,000x max win potential ✔ Stackable modifiers during free spins for massive payouts ✔ Fun, dynamic mining theme with solid animations 

Cons: 

❌ High volatility can lead to long dry spells ❌ Respin wins can be underwhelming without multipliers ❌ Cartoonish graphics may not appeal to all players 

Final Verdict 

Hugo Carts is a thrilling and well-designed slot, offering more complexity and higher win potential than previous Hugo games. The respin system with character modifiers makes the base game engaging, while free spins provide explosive win potential when multiple modifiers stack. 

Though some players may find the cartoonish visuals a bit childish, the high volatility and 25,000x max win ensure serious excitement for high-risk players. If you enjoy dynamic, feature-packed slots with a fun theme and massive payout possibilities, Hugo Carts is worth a spin!